lone parents working part time!!

[gtedder1]

hiya,

i am considering going back to work on a part time basis. How do other single mums on here cope (financially) with working part time. I get income support,child tax credits and full housing benefit at the moment. Would i be financially better off working?

Depends how much you earn :) If you work at least 16 hours you'll get working tax credits and can get up to 70% (I think) of childcare costs paid. It would decrease your housing benefit but you would earn more. However you'd have costs associated with working ie travel and possibly different clothes etc.

How old are your DC? Seems likely that when universal credit comes in that not working at all will become less viable so a good idea to start working I think. Also knowing that you are working for some at least of your money is good for self esteem I find.

Thanks Miranda . yeah, reduced housing benefit and work related costs makes me wonder if it is worth working. It may not make a difference. I have one year old DS. Would like to go back to work so that i am doing something else for me too, you know, other than just being a mum. But i just wouldn't want to be worse off.